Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says he loved everything his side did as they beat Golden Arrows 2-0 at Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday.
Monnapule Sakeng scored twice, his first goals for Pirates, in the first half to end three matches of a winless streak.
It was football that was pleasing in the eye for Pirates fans, especially in the first half, pressing Arrows high, who struggled to come out and even build.
As they did that and it worked for them, Kermit Erasmus and Saleng were king pin to down Arrows. Erasmus set up both goals for Saleng, who scored all with his left foot in the sixth and 24th minutes.
Pirates should have been ahead as early in the second minute of the game. Impressive Thabiso Monyane dispossessed Divine Lunga, setting up Phillip Ndlondlo who then crashed the crossbar.
“It was the beginning we were looking for and I think we had a good start,” said Riveiro after the game.
“It was crucial for us to get the lead soon and I think we played good football in the first half. We created more chances to score, it was fast football with transition. It was good for the spectators as well.”
Smartly, knowing that the game was fully wrapped up, Riveiro took off Miguel Timm, Kermit Erasmus, Innocent Maela knowing very well what was to come on Saturday against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi final second leg.
That game is finely balanced after it finished goalless in the first leg at Orlando Stadium.
Pirates do have aspirations to reach their first final since 2020, but will have to go for it to score and put Sundowns under huge pressure like they did against Arrows.
Also the combination of Saleng and Erasmus up top was proving too much to handle for Arrows, much to the enjoyment of their coach.
“You can imagine how exceptionally they are working,” said Riveiro about Saleng and Erasmus.
“We have a lot of players with talent and we had a good structure and we tried to provide them. It is easy for them to interact to show the talent that they have.
“Hopefully they can continue to show this level of commitment going forward.”
